NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL INTRODUCES FIRST HIGH-DEFINITION
OPERATING ROOMS IN GEORGIA
December 12, 2006 - High-definition television (HDTV) is making its way from the living room to the operating room as Northside Hospital advances the future of laparoscopy with high-definition imaging. The hospital is among the first hospitals in the Southeast and the first hospital in Georgia to acquire this revolutionary technology as part of remodeled surgical suites at the hospital’s Atlanta campus.
As pioneers of endoscopic surgery, surgeons at Northside Hospital, for more than two decades, have offered the latest technology to deliver minimally invasive surgeries to patients. In keeping with the tradition of providing leading-edge technology, Northside Hospital recently introduced surgeons and staff to the latest innovation in surgical care: HDTV. The result? Clearer images and better patient care.
The Olympus system includes the highest quality of HD (1080 lines of resolution) that is presently available, giving more than four times the number of pixels used in conventional video systems. This increased resolution produces a smooth, breathtaking image, with an amazing level of detail and color reproduction, which remains sharp and life-like, even when viewed up close. The level of detail offered by HD is better then previous digital technology. As a result, physicians may provide patients with more accurate diagnoses. The flexibility of this system also allows it to be used across many minimally-invasive surgical procedures including laparoscopy, colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, bronchoscopy and more.
“This technology really gives us the clearest, most realistic picture,” said Vicki Barnett, director of surgical services, Northside Hospital. “This is the most superior endoscopic technology on the market and it allows us to stay at the forefront of the medical field and devote more time to providing the best patient care possible.”
The new HD system is part of a new integrated surgery system that balances the needs of doctors, nurses and administration, providing state-of-the-art performance and streamlined operation workflow. The HD rooms at Northside are equipped with videoconferencing, touch screen telestration and two-way audio/video capability.
“This new system make things much easier for the surgical staff during procedures, streamlining processes and putting everything at our fingertips,” said Barnett. “In addition, we can videoconference with any facility in the world for teaching purposes from these two rooms.”
Northside Hospital is a leader in providing state-of-the-art surgical services. It is home to many of Atlanta’s finest surgeons and is equipped with the latest diagnostic treatment technology available in health care today. The hospital’s surgeons were among the first in the United States to pioneer video laparoscopy, a technique that dramatically reduces the recovery time for many operations including appendectomy, gallbladder removal, incontinence and gynecological procedures. The hospital also offers state-of-the-art care in surgical and obstetrical anesthesia and pain management.
In 2006/07, in the National Research Corporation’s annually conducted Healthcare Market Guide study, consumers ranked Northside Hospital number one in Outpatient/Same Day Surgery in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area. Surgeons on staff at Northside Hospital perform more than 35,000 surgical cases annually for outpatients and inpatients in multiple, specialized operating room suites. New advances in surgical technology allow us to stay at the forefront of the medical field and devote more time to providing the best patient care possible.
